March 20 marks the first day of spring… although you’d never know it in Eastern Canada!

The snow has been falling for about twelve hours now… tumbling down overnight and into the morning, once again covering Nova Scotia in a blanket of white. Just when it looked like winter was finally over and things had melted away… BAM! One last smack of winter. Or at least everyone was hoping it was winter’s final strike. Of course, snow isn’t all bad. It depends on the audience. And if that audience is a seven year old boy who gets a Wednesday off school… snow is a wonderful thing!

NWA World Crusierweight Champion Magni was spending his snow day in Wolfville at the home of his new friends, Sue and Carson. Sue is a single mom, and Carson is her son, who is enjoying his day at home to play. Sue initially hired Mangi looking for a babysitter for a night a few months ago, and Carson took to him so well and so fast that it led to more phone calls. After all, it’s not the norm that a kid begs his parents for the babysitter to come over. Then again, the babysitter isn’t usually a World Champion pro wrestler, and when you’re as big a wrestling fan as little Carson is… having Magni come over to play is like having all your dreams come true.

As the snow swirls around the windows, we see Sue sitting by herself on a red fabric couch. There’s a laptop computer sitting on the arm of the couch, and she’s slowly browsing her Facebook news feed. Her blonde hair is tied back in a pony tail, and her top half is covered by a pink sweater. Her bottom half is wrapped up in a blanket as she does her best to get cozy and ignore the snow and wind. A bedroom door opens down a short hallway, and we see Magni step out. The door closes behind him, and a chuckling Magni walks into the living room, picking up a tablet computer before taking a seat at the other end of the couch.

Sue: What’s this? I didn’t think he was ever going to let you out of that room.

Magni: He setting up a special game to play, and it has to be surprise. He tell me to go away until it all ready.

Sue: I see. Thanks again for coming over, Magni. Kids get so excited when there’s no school… then realize they’re bored after about forty-five minutes! And he loves playing with you so much. It really makes him feel like a big guy to be spending time with one of his heroes.

The Estonian blushes a little at that last comment.

Magni: Awww… it okay. I like playing with Carson too. He a good kid. Besides, my trainer, Andrew, would have been after me to go for run today. I know training important, but… no thanks! Not in this weather.

Sue just watches him silently for a moment as Magni’s gaze goes into the tablet, intently following whatever it is that he’s watching.

Sue: What’s that, Magni?

Magni: Oh! Sorry… I just watching promo from one of my opponents this month. We’re always obsessed with this kind of thing.

Sue: Oh… is that where all you big tough wrestlers threaten to kick the other guy’s ass?

Magni: Yes, but it not that simple. Anybody make threats, but this one really hurt.

Sue: What? What do you mean? What did they say?

Magni: That the thing… it not even really negative. This was promo from Simon Jones. He a wrestler from England, and he in ACW like me. We’re wrestling in Halifax in two weeks. And he say he wrestle guy from Estonia before. He even wrestle in Tallinn, my hometown.

Sue: So? What’s so bad about that?

Magni: Because I never hear anyone say that before. Being from Estonia is what make me unique wrestling in Canada. Estonia just little tiny country… barely more people than Nova Scotia. I think a lot of people I wrestle not even know where Estonia is. And in ring, I not the biggest, strongest guy… I not the best wrestler with all the great moves… I not even the fastest wrestler or best high flyer… I just the Estonian guy. I loveable little underdog from mysterious little Baltic county. If being from Estonia not make me unique… what I have left? Jones say that just make me feel not so special.

Sue smiles and moves in closer. She puts her arm around Magni’s shoulders and looks him directly in the eyes.

Sue: You’re just a big ol’ softie, aren’t you Magni?

Magni: I not supposed to be. I big tough wrestler, right?

Sue: Yeah… you’re the big tough wrestler fighting back tears on my couch and nobody even called you any names.

Magni: Hey! I not crying.

She gives Magni a playful shove, which does a little to restore a smile to the Estonian’s face.

Sue: You are special, Magni. You’ve very special.

Magni: Oh yeah? How I special?

Carson: MMMMAAAAAAGGGGGGGNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIII!!!

The bedroom door down the hall opens, and Carson comes out, tearing down the hall at full speed and volume. He’s still dressed in his red and blue Spiderman pyjamas, and just vibrating with excitement as he grabs Magni by the hand trying to pull him up off the couch.

Carson: The game’s all ready, Magni! Come and see! Come and see!

Magni gets up and follows Carson down the hall, who’s still pulling his arm. He’s just leaving the living room as he looks back to Sue. She smiles and taps her chest then mouths a single word just as Carson pulls him away.

“Heart”


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\


They say the waiting is the hardest part, and that couldn’t be more true for Patrick Ross. The former NWA Atlantic Canadian promoter with Acadian Wrestling, has officially been Magni’s manager since November, and over that time he’s done wonderful things for the Estonian. First of all, Magni broke his losing skid under the guidance of Ross when he defeated Angelo Vialletti in ACW. And things got even better when Ross secured him a chance at the NWA World Cruiserweight Championship, which Magni claimed from Limp. Now, one could easily argue that Patrick Ross had little to do with either of those things happening… Magni is a talented athlete, and was bound to finally win a match at some point. And it was WCCW that forfeited the World Cruiserweight Championship title shot to ACW, and a winning Magni was a fairly obvious choice as a challenger. But the fact is that those things did happen under Ross’ leadership, and it was hard to dispute the facts. Plus, Ross would tell anyone that Ben Jordan would have received the title match against Limp, not Magni, had Ross not been there to pull strings behind the scenes… and that may or may not be true. The only person that knows that for sure is ACW Boss J.J. Dixon… and he was in Ross’ crosshairs today.

Ross had been trying to secure a meeting with Dixon for weeks now, but the ACW boss kept ducking him. That was partially because he just didn’t want to deal with an over enthusiastic Ross who seemed up to something, and it was partially because he was truly busy. When you’re running a pro wrestling company in Eastern Canada with small gates, you aren’t making much money, so even Dixon had a day job. Just about everyone involved with the company does. But finally, Dixon had agreed to meet with Ross on his lunch break… and that’s where we find the pair now... sitting at a small table in the corner of a crowded Subway restaurant in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dixon: Okay Ross, so what’s this all about? What’s so important we couldn’t just talk things over at ACW Live at the Forum in a few weeks?

Both men are wearing suits, doing their best not to let the little pieces of lettuce fall from their subs and mess up their attire.

Ross: It’s about Magni.

Dixon: Well obviously. But what about Magni? Is there a problem with the booking for this month?

Ross: No, not at all. I can’t wait to see Magni versus Simon Jones.

Dixon: I feel the same way. Should be a great match. So if you’re not upset with the booking, what’s the big problem here, Ross? Just come out with it already.

Ross: Well… it’s about Magni’s contract.

J.J. rolls his eyes and takes a big bite of his sub.

Dixon: Of course it is. I’ve just been waiting for you to finally come out and say it.

Ross: Well there it is. And…

Dixon: No no no… just stop right there. I mean, c’mon… do you not see the irony here Pat?

Ross: No, I don’t. I’m just trying to talk some business.

Another bite of the sandwich from Dixon, only this time the eye roll is joined by a totally disgusted look on his face.

Dixon: C’mon Pat; be serious. I mean, of all people… of all people in the NWA… of all people in the business… of all people on the planet… you’ve got to understand better than anyone the economics of trying to operate out East! You were the boss here for how long? It was years! You started this baby rolling. Acadian Wrestling, your baby, is the reason ACW is here today. So you’ve been down all these roads before. You know nobody’s going to get rich wrestling here. It’s just not going to happen. It can’t happen… not with crowds of a few hundred some nights! We pay the boys as much as we can, and sure, I’d like to do better. I’d like to do a lot better in some cases to reward people for their efforts, and what they bring to ACW. But we have to live within our means and make sure we continue to exist long term. The boys get as much as we can give them, but that’s just how it is. And for the record, because he’s here from Europe, and he’s the NWA World Cruiserweight Champion, Magni is already pulling in more cash per show than almost anyone on the roster! You can look at the books yourself; that’s a fact!

Ross: As well he should be one of the highest paid boys in ACW. You said it yourself, Magni is the NWA World Cruiserweight Champion! That brings a lot of attention your way. He’s your biggest star by far. By Far!

Dixon: Ha! It’s funny that you really believe that. Magni is NOT, I repeat, NOT, the biggest star in ACW! He is a great draw and has all the talent in the world. I’m very lucky to have him in ACW, but he’s not the face of the company. People don’t but their tickets just based around Magni. They want to see someone try to stop Duke Ata. They want to see Canadian Crippler and Ben Jordan and Angelo Vialetti. They want to see Magni too, but again, he’s not the face of ACW, and he probably never will be. That might not be fair, but that’s the way it is. People are always going to be more interested in the heavyweights.

Ross: So you’re telling me that people are always going to be more interested in some overgrown rugby reject than in a quality performer like Magni… someone who has the gold to prove he’s one of the best in the NWA today? You think ACW would roll along fine without him, do you? Well… maybe we should just try that and see how it goes. After all, Magni’s headed to Oklahoma for a show in World Class this month… taking on “Canadian Perfect” and former World Tag Team Champion Chris Wrestling. And I have to tell you that Magni has expressed an interest in being closer to home and perhaps taking his talents to Rhine Valley Wrestling.

Dixon: So you’re just threatening me now, Ross? It’s not going to work. You are not going to push me around. I run ACW… not you! Got it? So just cut to the chase already… how much? What are you looking for in this contract?

Ross: You know, right from the start you assume I’m just looking for money, and you just assume I’m the bad guy here.

Dixon: Aren’t you?

Ross: No, as a matter of fact. I’m here to help… to help Magni, to help you, to help ACW.

Dixon: Really? And how is you extorting money from this company going to do that?

Ross: Again, you assume I’m only after cash. C’mon Dixon… you were right… I do understand the economics of running a wrestling company on the east coast, and I know there’s no extra money. What I’m looking for, to keep Magni here long term, is equity.

Dixon: Equity?

Ross: Yes… creative control… fifty-one percent.

Dixon: You’re insane! You honestly expect me to give you fifty-one percent of ACW?

Ross: Only if you’re truly a smart businessman. Face it Dixon, you’re not a promoter; you never were. You were hired as a broadcaster, and the only reason you have ACW working now is because it’s sitting on the foundation I built! There was nothing for me when I started Acadian Wrestling. I didn’t even have the NWA until AW was three months along already! I set up this region from nothing and with nobody, but I worked my ass off and made it work! I brought in talent, as well as sponsors and money! You’ve been bringing in talent, but ACW has been a revolving door for months now. Besides guys like Magni, Jordan and Crippler, people seem to come and go every show. The Cages walked… Trent Shanahan walked… some of the biggest fish of all time, and you let them go because you couldn’t keep them interested. Guys like that will never be here for the paycheque, but for what you can offer in terms of opportunity and competition! I have the experience with the booking, and can create shows that the fans want to see, and that the athletes actually want to be part of. Yes, I’m asking for half the company, but I want to see a return on my personal investment. And with me directing this ship, you’ll have some direction finally… you’ll see growth… and ACW will be a much stronger brand into the future! Even as a half partner, you’ll be pulling in more money and clout within the alliance! And that’s what I’m seeing here… a partnership. I still want you on board, but I want fifty-one percent so I have the ultimate say and can guide ACW into a bright future! And back into the flagship of the NWA!

Dixon: Why you mother fucking snake oil salesman! Listen to you, carnival-barking your wares. And it almost sounds good Ross… it almost sounds perfect! Help with the booking, sponsors, more money… it’s just win-win all around. But there’s one little problem with the whole thing… didn’t a LITTLE GIRL take your company away from you?!?!

Ouch! Dixon scores a big shot that Ross wasn’t expecting. He’s so mad you can almost see the steam coming out of his ears, and it’s not from the hot peppers on his sub. Ross doesn’t respond, doesn’t move a muscle… just waits for Dixon to continue, and tries to restrain himself from flipping the table.

Dixon: Yeah! Leah Trudeau, a girl you hired as a teenager to be the ring announcer, swindled Acadian Wrestling out from under you and forced you out! And you’ve been just itching to get back in ever since. Well Ross, even if I bought your sales pitch, even if I went along with all of it… I just can’t get past your own track record of incompetence! You should not be in any sort of position around creative control as far as I’m concerned, and my answer is… NO!

Patrick is still steaming mad. He just about flips the table as he gets up suddenly, smashing the chair back into the wall, and drawing the eye of all the other patrons in the sandwich shop.

Ross: Fine! FINE! That’s your decision… that’s great! You don’t want my help? You don’t want ACW to be at the forefront of the NWA? That’s your decision, Dixon! Just remember, I can’t guarantee that Magni will want to stay on your sinking ship as he watches all the other big stars fly the coop! And if Magni decides to stay in WCCW, or RVW… what’s keeping your guys like Canadian Crippler, Simon Jones and Ben Jordan, eh? Crippler already wrestles all over the world, and will someone of Jordan’s calibre stay with no opponents on his level? I just want you to remember this day when you’re left with nothing but a name and an empty ring. You had the chance to change it, and you blew it!

And with one final slam Ross kicks the chair out of his way and storms out of the restaurant. Dixon is sneering at him the whole way as Magni’s manager storms out.


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\


Away from the raging Patrick Ross and J.J. Dixon, we once again find Magni, but now its promo time! The Estonian is alone, and looks to be gearing up to record the promo “Rick Mercer style” (reference for Canadians only) as he’s in an alleyway in downtown Wolfville walking directly towards the reversing camera. With the temperature hovering right around the freezing mark and patches of snow still covering the alley, Magni’s clad in a white touque with a small black Adidas logo on the front, jeans and a plain black and grey jacket.

Magni: So here it is… Magni against Vixen… round two!

Perhaps Simon Jones was right as Magni still seems to be focusing on Vixen, despite his other matches coming up this month.

Magni: A lot of people might be not happy with this rematch. If they were in my boots, they say, “I already beat Vixen. Why have match again?” Well I not say that. I very happy with another match against Vixen for the World Cruiserweight Title. Our first match was not the best ever, and this the chance to do better, and tear the house down! Besides, after the match at Wrestle Classic, I now know what Vixen can do. I have seen Vixen inside the ring, and I is ready for what she about to throw at me. But Vixen not be ready for what I can do.

The Estonian smiles a bit of a smug smile as he continues down the alley, dodging a large green compost bin standing by the brick wall.

Magni: I not kidding myself… Vixen controlled our match at Wrestle Classic. But getting my bum kicked might be a good thing, or at least I looking at it that way. I not get the chance to use all my tricks in first match with Vixen. I still have surprises to come. Maybe Vixen still have surprises too, but I know I have more. Vixen will have to be ready for different moves than she saw the first time around. And yes, Vixen already know my whole move set, I’m sure. Anyone can pull up video on Youtube and watch and take notes. But watching video clips is different than actually being inside a ring… in the moment. How will you really react when there is only split second to make decision and react to what’s coming? Even if you watch video one thousand times and know I like to do move… will you have plan to avoid it, or counter, or will you hesitate for split second, and go down for three count? No matter how much you prep, question no can be answered until it happen for real in Bogota.

Magni: I ask question because I no can stand here and trash talk Vixen. She strong, she tough, she fierce. I know this… she already pound me once. Vixen has all skills, and it great competitor. I also think she have good attitude. Vixen have great friends, but I think she too proud to have them cheat to help her win. This no gang fight match with Spike Staggs coming to hit me from behind. This should be clean, fair match with just me and Vixen… best person that night goes home with the belt. Simple as that. And pro wrestling not usually so simple. Most matches have clear good guy and bad guy, but this match two good guys, er, girls… wait, that wrong too… you know what I mean! Match between two “baby faces” as they say. And I look forward to that. It two heroes, with mutual respect for one another, that will have best match. Back and forth, real wrestling… not someone looking to take a shortcut with help from their friends. This will be pure competition, just like the way wrestling became a sport hundreds of years ago in Ancient Greece. Only… I no think ancient Greeks jumped off the top rope too much. Either way, this shaping up to be great match. Fans in Bogota will be winners for sure… even for a match between an Estonian and a Canadian who have no ties to Columbia. Vixen, I wish you best of luck because I make this one promise… this time… I bring my best to ring… and I leave still champion!

Magni points into the camera as he delivers the last line, then walks past it, and out of the frame as we fade out.